Fortnight for Freedom

MSIllinois.org

A Community Outreach to Veterans

The Archdiocese of Chicago is grateful to those men and women who are serving, or have served in the armed forces. They have sacrificed their time, talent and treasured moments with their families to secure freedom.

This website offers resources for our serving and returning veterans and their families and families of those who died in the service of our country.

In addition, the site provides information for our parishes to assist veterans and their families in the transaction from military to civilian life.

Thank you for your service.

Mayslake Ministries - Fostering the Spiritual Life

MAYSLAKE MINISTRIES is offering a FREE Retreat for Veterans and their significant other. November 18-20, 2016, Siena Retreat Center, Racine WI. The retreat focuses on healing and reconciliation. Please call Mayslake Ministries, 630-268-9000, for more information and registration details. Or visit their website at www.mayslakeministries.org

Mayslake Ministries offers a parish based spiritual support program

for parents and spouses of military deployed overseas.

Anniversary of ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). The ADA insures that all persons with disabilities have equal access to services, housing, programs (public and private), etc. http://ada25chicago.org

ADA25CHICAGO

Catholic Charities Veterans Services

National Center for PTSD

PTSD
If you are a Veteran or member of a Veteran's family, it is possible that you may have experienced Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD has four types of symptoms: reliving the event, avoiding situations that remind you of the event; feeling numb and feeling keyed up. If you would like to learn more or take a PTSD screen, visit the National Center for PTSD.

Treatments
Counseling and medication are the two main types of treatment for PTSD. However not all counseling has been proven equally effective. According the National Center for PTSD, the evidence based research supports the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as the most effective treatment. This typically involves meeting with your therapist once a week for 3-6 months.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a CBT in which you learn skills to better understand how a trauma changed your thoughts and feelings. It will help you identify trauma related thoughts and change them so they are less distressing. Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy is a CBT in which you talk about your trauma repeatedly until the memories are no longer upsetting. To learn more about PTSD, treatments, research and get the PTSD coach application, visit www.ptsd.va.gov .

This Veterans Day and Always

A statement/prayer for Veterans Day and always - issued by Archbishop Brolgio of Military Services.

“We enjoy great freedom in the United States. That includes, especially, the freedom to practice our faith. This freedom does not come without cost. Who have put their lives on the line to preserve it for us?

The annual celebration of Veterans Day on November 11th invites us to remember the men and women who have put themselves in harm’s way to defend our way of life and the values we hold dear. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to those killed in the line of duty, those still suffering from the effects of their generous response to the Nation’s call, and, of course, everyone who has retired from active duty. Even the privilege to hold differing opinions and to express them openly is a result of the sacrifice of a few for all.

Let us remember those who have sacrificed so much to serve our Country. Let us keep them all in our prayers, on Veterans Day and always.”